Disappearing article holding device



Feb. 7,1961 w. T. DOOLEY, JR 2,970,720

DISAPPEARING ARTICLE HOLDING DEVICE Filed June 30, 1958 /IVVE/Vr0lP-' Mu 44M 772004 01/2 3 7 f/Zt/MM United States Patent G DISAPPEARING ARTICLE HOLDING DEvIcE William T. Dooley, Jr., 134 Park Road, Webster Groves 19, Mo.

Filed June 30, 1958, Ser. No. 745,690

4 Claims. (Cl. 220-85) This invention relates generally to brackets and more particularly to a novel disappearing article holder.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a holding device that can be moved between an article holding position and a hidden position relative to a container for a cleanser, shave cream, toothpaste or the like with which the article is adapted to be used.

A more specific object is to provide a holding device for a razor or a toothbrush, the device being mounted on a shave cream or toothpaste container, for movement between collapsed and extended positions relative thereto.

Another object is to provide a simple, economically manufactured holding device for use with a container.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

The invention is embodied in a holding device including guide and holding portions each having means for limiting movement of the device in one direction relative to a part, and means for retaining an article on the device.

The invention also consists in the parts and in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification and wherein like numerals refer to like parts wherever they occur:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical container having a holding device embodying the invention associated therewith, the holding device being shown in broken lines in extended position,

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, of the container and holding device as taken substantially along line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the holding device, and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holding device mounted on the container as taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention is shown embodied in a holding device mounted on a container 11 for movement relative thereto between a collapsed or hidden position and an extended or brush holding position. The container 11 may be of any conventional construction and includes a body portion 12, a top closure 13 forming an upstanding peripheral bead or rim 14 with the body 12, and a cap member 15. In the disclosed container 11, the cap member 15 has a dispensing duct 16 and a mechanism 17 including a vertical plunger 18 for dispensing shave cream, toothpaste or the like from the container 11. The container 11 may be a typical aerosal dispenser.

As shown best in Fig. 2, the cap member 15 has a partial peripheral seat 19 adapted to position the cap member on the peripheral rim 14 of the container, and an interrupted flange 20 is formed integral with the cap member 15 for abutment with the inner surface of the upstanding rim 14. The remaining portion 21 of the periphery of the cap member is relieved between ends of the flange 20 and peripheral seat 19 to provide a vertical clearance with the rim 14 of the container 11.

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Referring to Fig. 3, the holding device 10 is formed of any suitable material, preferably plastic, and comprises a body or guide portion 23 and a holding portion 24. The body portion 23 has an arcuate margin 25 opposite to the holding portion, which is substantially complementary to the inner surface of the flange 20 of the cap member 15. An elongated slot 26 of predetermined length is formed in the body portion 23.

The holding portion 24 is substantially fan-shaped and has an arcuate outer edge 27 on which is formed a flange 28 extending downwardly substantially normal to the plane of the body and holding portions 23 and 24. The curvature of the arcuate margin 27 and flange 28 is substantially complementary to the circumferential surface of the rim 14 of the container 11, and the flange 28 is also curved transversely to be substantially complementary to the corresponding vertical configuration of the rim 14, Figs. 2 and 4.

At least one or, preferably, a plurality of handle openings or slots 29 are formed in the holding portion 24 for receiving the handle h of a toothbrush T or the like therein, Fig. 1. Each of the slots 29 is in communication with a relieved portion or opening 30 of the holding portion 24 and flange 28, and the opening 30 is defined by walls 31 which diverge toward the outer edge 27 of the holding device 10. It is apparent that the present holding device may be associated with a shave cream container for receiving the handle of a razor (not shown) in the slot 29, and a toothbrush T is shown only for purposes of disclosure.

The holding device 10 is assembled on the container 11 with the plunger 18 received in the elongated guide slot 26 of the holding device 10. The holding portion 24 extends between the rim 14 of the container and the relieved portion 21 of the cap member 15, and the flange 28 curves downwardly in juxtaposition with the rim 14. In collapsed position, as shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 4, the holding device 10 is contained within the cap member 15 except for the flange 28 which abuts the rim 14 in a close fitting inconspicuous relationship. When the holding device 10 is moved to brush holding position, as shown in broken lines in Figs. 1 and 4, the end of the guide slot 26 remote from the flange 28 is moved into abutment with the plunger 18 to limit the withdrawal of the holding device from the container. A toothbrush T, a razor (not shown) or other types of articles can then be inserted into the slot 29.

It is now apparent that a simple, eflicient holding device has been provided for holding articles on the container or dispenser, and that the device may be moved to a collapsed position as for shipment or storage.

This disclosure is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the present invention which will be apparent to all skilled in the art, and the invention is to be limited only by the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a container, a holding device comprising a guide portion and a holding portion, said guide portion including an elongated slot slidably received on said container for limited movement of said device in one direction relative to said container, and said holding portion including means for holding an article, and flange abutment means at the outer periphery of said holding portion for limiting movement of said device relative to the container in a direction opposite to said slot limiting movement.

2. In combination with a container having a cap mem her, a holding device mounted between the container and the cap member therefor, said device comprising a body portion and a holding portion, said body portion having a lost motion connection with the container, said body portion being movable between collapsed and extended positions relative to the container, said holding portion having article mounting means hidden under the container cap member when the device is in collapsed position, and abutment means for limiting movement of the device toward said collapsed position.

3. In combination with a container having a cap menn her with a peripheral portion spaced from the container, 21 holding device for holding an article in juxtaposition with the container, said holding device comprising a slide portion having an elongated slot forming a lost motion connection with the container whereby said device is movable between collapsed and extended positions relative thereto, an opening in said holding portion for receiving the handle of an article when the device is in extended position relative to said container, and flange abutment means on said holding portion for limiting movement of said device toward a collapsed position relative to the container.

4. In a device of the type described which includes a container having a peripheral top rim and a cap having a peripheral flange in abutment with said peripheral rim, the combination of an opening formed in said peripheral flange extending above said peripheral rim, and a holding device positioned intermediate said container and cap and extending through the opening in said peripheral flange, said holding device having a down-turned flange at one margin thereof, said flange being substantially complementary to the configuration of said peripheral rim and being adapted to abut said peripheral rim with said holding device in a hidden position intermediate said container and cap, article holding means inwardly of the flange of said holding device, and means for guiding said holding device for limited movement outwardly of said container and cap through the opening in the peripheral flange whereby said article holding means is in an extended article holding position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 689,038 Caspar Dec. 17, 1901 2,028,694 Spinks Jan. 21, 1936 2,585,526 Zautner Feb. 12, 1952 2,599,868 Schuh June 10, 1952 2,896,810 Mulvenna July 28, 1959 

